Good Technology, Dell Team on Wireless

Dell Computer and Good Technology are working together to develop handheld devices that incorporate more-advanced wireless data access technologies, the companies have announced.

The companies touched off speculation about possible deals or even an acquisition last week, when they teased media and analysts with the promise of an announcement Tuesday.

Dell Goes Wireless

The less sexy but still noteworthy news is that the companies are plotting to bring Good's wireless e-mail software to Dell's handhelds and servers. The deal was announced at the headquarters of venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers, which is an investor in Good Technology.

Dell will offer GoodLink bundled with its PowerEdge servers immediately. GoodLink allows handheld users to wirelessly synchronize their devices with corporate e-mail and documents without having to place the device in a cradle connected to a PC.

It is similar to a technology developed by Research In Motion, which makes and sells the popular BlackBerry device. The BlackBerry can send and receive e-mail wirelessly, but requires a physical connection to a PC to update some data or erase e-mail from an in-box.

Focus on Specialty

As handheld devices and cellular networks became increasingly sophisticated, Good realized it could benefit from partnering with a major hardware vendor, said Danny Shader, chief executive officer of Good Technology, based in Sunnyvale, California.

Such a partnership allows Good Technology to focus on developing its GoodLink software and help make wireless e-mail a mainstream technology, Shader said.

"Dell makes things go mainstream," he said.

The companies do not have a target date set for the introduction of GoodLink on Dell's Axim handhelds or future devices, said Tony Bonadero, director of wireless and handhelds for Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas.